Forget Neymar, forget Iniesta—no player in the 2010s redefined their position like Manuel Neuer. This is the story of a goalkeeper who rewrote the rules of football.
When the topic of football greatness comes up, the first two names off everyone’s tongue are Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. They were the twin titans of the 2010s. But the question that splits opinions is: Who was the third-best player of that era?
Some say Neymar for his flair and star power. Others suggest Andrés Iniesta for his midfield mastery. But if we’re talking about true dominance and impact on the game, the answer might surprise you: Manuel Neuer.
A Sweeper, a Stopper, a Revolution
Neuer wasn’t just a world-class goalkeeper—he was a footballing revolution. His ability with the ball at his feet was so outrageous that Bayern Munich’s board reportedly had to forbid Pep Guardiola from playing him in midfield. That’s how good he was. Guardiola wanted to experiment. The board said no. Football purists everywhere owe them a thank you.
And yet, people often forget to include Neuer in the conversation for the greatest goalkeeper ever, simply because he transcended the position. As one fan poetically put it:
“Any goalkeeper that came after him was just an evangelist of the Church of Manuel Neuer.”
Stats Don’t Lie – Neuer Was a Cheat Code
Neuer’s dominance is reflected in cold, hard numbers. Take the Bundesliga:
- Oliver Kahn—a legend himself—conceded once every 85 minutes.
- Neuer? Every 111 minutes. That’s 31% better.
What about advanced metrics? The stat Expected Goals on Target minus Goals Conceded (xGOT-GC) is a clean way to evaluate a keeper’s shot-stopping ability, regardless of the defense in front of him.
- Ter Stegen: +19.7
- Yann Sommer: +17.8
- Neuer: +37.9
He didn’t just belong in elite company. He doubled it.
A Story Written by Fate: From Reluctant Keeper to National Icon
Neuer’s journey is as unlikely as it is poetic. He became a goalkeeper purely by chance—his youth team didn’t have one when he joined mid-season. As he once put it:
“I was the stupid one, that piggy in the middle.”
He wanted to play outfield. At 13, Schalke almost converted him into a midfielder. They stuck with him based on his parents’ height. And then he grew. Fast.
By 19, he was Schalke’s starter. By 20, he was Germany’s future. His performances—especially in the Champions League and domestic cups—dragged Schalke to their most successful run in decades. From boyhood idolizing Jens Lehmann to becoming the face of German goalkeeping, Neuer’s rise was meteoric.
From Hated to Hailed at Bayern Munich
When Neuer joined Bayern Munich, the fans hated him. A Schalke boy? Who mocked Oliver Kahn? No thanks.
But that didn’t last. Not when he went 1,147 minutes without conceding a goal, making Kahn’s legendary streak look like child’s play. Even Guardiola couldn’t contain his praise, once saying:
“If we ever clone a goalkeeper, it should be Neuer.”
World Champion. Ballon d’Or Finalist. Football Pioneer.
The 2014 World Cup cemented Neuer’s legacy. Sweeper-keeper. Brick wall. Psychologically indomitable.
He didn’t just save Germany—he defined them. Against Algeria, he played so far off his line he had more touches than half of Algeria’s outfield players. His heat map became an internet legend.
When Germany lifted the trophy, Neuer took home the Golden Glove, and came third in the Ballon d’Or voting, barely missing out to Messi.
Comebacks, Titles, and Unbelievable Longevity
Even injuries and a broken leg couldn’t stop him. At 37, Neuer made a return after nearly a year-long rehab just in time for the Euro 2024, still Germany’s No. 1.
At 39, he’s still playing. Still competing. Still Manuel Neuer.
Why Neuer Deserves the Podium
Forget positions. Forget traditions. Football is about impact.
Ronaldo and Messi redefined scoring. Neuer redefined goalkeeping.
He blurred the lines between keeper and outfield player, raised the tactical IQ of the position, and made future generations dream differently.
If the 2010s had a podium, Neuer has earned his place. Maybe he didn’t have the flash or the fanfare. But in terms of influence, consistency, and mind-bending ability, there was Messi, there was Ronaldo… and there was Neuer.
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